Lupinus plant named ‘Persian Slipper’

ABSTRACT

‘Persian Slipper’ is a new variety of  Lupinus hybridus  that exhibits numerous and large-shaped violet-colored flowers.

Botanical classification: Lupinus hybridus.

Varietal denomination: ‘Persian Slipper’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Lupinushybridus known by the varietal name ‘Persian Slipper’. The new varietywas developed in Great Britain. The new variety is a result of crossbreeding Russell Hybrid Lupinus Seedling #WCL 066/96 (female parent)(unpatented) and an unknown Lupinus male parent (unpatented). Thepurpose of the breeding program was to develop a cultivar that exhibitedimproved color, habit, and bloom form from other Lupinus varieties knownto the breeder. The new variety is similar in growth habit to its femaleparent, but differs in flower color. The new variety is similar inflower color to Lupinus hybridus ‘The Governor’, but has a more vigorousgrowth habit, larger flower bells, and more closely packed flower bells.The new variety was first asexually reproduced by basal cuttings/tissueculture in Great Britain. The new variety has been trial and fieldtested and has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics andremain true to type through successive asexual propagations.Characteristics that distinguish the new variety from others known tothe breeder include:

-   -   • Clear and intense flower color;    -   • Flower form — papilionaceous with large flowers; and    -   • Vigorous growth habit.

The new variety was grown in open soil with additional organicfertilizer applied. The new variety initiates and develops roots in 21days at 15° C. A finished and flowering plant is produced in 36 weeks ina 21 cm container. The new variety exhibits sparse, but thick roots,that exhibit some branching.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new variety, withthe color being as nearly true as it possible with color illustrationsof this type:

FIG. 1 is a photographic image of multiple plants of the new variety;and

FIG. 2 is a close-up photograph of the petals of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which defines these characteristics werecollected by asexual reproductions carried out in Great Britain. Thecolor readings were taken outside under natural daylight. Colorreferences are primarily to the R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London.

PLANT

-   Form: Mounded and symmetrical.-   Stem:    -   -   Diameter.—15 mm.        -   Color.—Between 144A and 144B and flushed with a color            between 59B and 59C.        -   Texture.—Slightly hirsute, smooth with longitudinal ridges.        -   Pubescence.—Slight to medium.-   Height: 70 cm.-   Vigor: Good.-   Branching habit: Free.-   Lateral branches:    -   -   Diameter.—10-12 mm.        -   Internode length.—3.5 mm.        -   Texture.—Lightly hirsute, smooth with longitudinal ridges.        -   Pubescence.—Present.        -   Color.—144A.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Ascending spiral.        -   Length of leaf stalk.—Basal foliage: 28 cm. Stem foliage: 17            cm.        -   Size of leaf (overall).—Length: 15.5 cm. Width: 15.5 cm.        -   Leaflets.—Shape of leaflet: Oblanceolate. Number: 14. Width:            2.6 cm. Length: 8.0 cm. Shape of apex: Acuminate. Shape of            base: Cuneate. Aspect: Horizontal presentation. Margin type:            Smooth; entire. Pubescence: Upper surface: None present.            Lower surface: Slight. Color: Young leaflet: Upper surface:            137B. Lower surface: 137C. Mature leaflet: Upper surface:            137A. Lower surface: 137B. Petiole: Shape: Flattened and            round. Length: Basal leaf: 28 cm. Stem leaf: 17 cm.            Diameter: 5 mm. Color: Between 144A and 144B. Venation:            Central; mid-rib; the upper surface color is between 137C            and 137D; the lower surface is 138B.

FLOWER

-   Bud (described when buds where just beginning to open):    -   -   Shape.—Napiform.        -   Diameter.—11 mm.        -   Length.—18 mm.        -   Color.—96C and suffused with a color between 78B and 78C.-   Natural flowering season: May through July in The Netherlands.-   Flower type and habit: Spike.    -   -   Number of flowers per spike.—193.        -   Length of spike.—42 cm.        -   Diameter of spike.—10.5 cm.-   Corolla:    -   -   Form.—Zygomorphic        -   Petals.—Standard Petals: Number: 2-fused. Length: 16 mm.            Width: 11 mm. Shape: Ovate. Aspect: Parallel to spike.            Margin: Smooth and entire. Wing Petals: Number: 2. Length:            19 mm. Width: 11 mm. Shape: Ovoid to kidney-shaped. Aspect:            Slightly tilted upward. Margin: Smooth and entire. Keel            Petals: Number: 2-fused. Length: 16 mm. Width: 8 mm. Shape:            Lingulate. Aspect: Located within wing petals and pointing            upwards. Margin: Smooth and entire. Texture and appearance:            Smooth and satin-like. Wing Petal Color: When opening: Upper            surface: 83C, flushed with a color between 83A and 83B.            Lower surface: 85B, flushed with 83D. Fully opened: Upper            surface: 83B with an overlay of 83A. Lower surface: 83D.            Standard Petal Color: When opening: Upper surface: 155D,            edged with 83C. Lower surface: 155D, edged with 85B. Fully            opened: Upper surface: 155D, edged with 83B. Lower surface:            155D, edged with 85B. Keel Petal Color: When opening: Upper            surface: 85B, flushed with 83C. Lower surface: 85C, flushed            with 83C. Fully opened: Upper surface: 85B, flushed with            83C. Lower surface: 85C, flushed with 83C. Keel tip color:            93C.        -   Throat (visible when the standard petals are parted from the            keep petals): Color: 4D, flushed with 4B. Texture: Smooth            and satin-like.-   Calyx:    -   -   Form.—Two unequal halves.        -   Length.—6 mm.        -   Diameter.—4 mm.        -   Sepal shape.—Elliptic.        -   Sepal margin.—Entire.        -   Sepal texture.—Smooth with slight pubescence.        -   Sepal size.—Length: 4 mm. Width: 2.5 mm.        -   Sepal color.—Upper surface: 85D, flushed with 85C. Lower            surface: 85D, flushed with 85C.-   Fragrance: Slight.-   Disease resistance/susceptibility: Susceptible to powdery mildew.-   Temperature tolerance: Medium to good.-   Lasting quality: Medium to good.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number (per flower).—There are two groups. A first group            with 6 stamens and a second group with 4 stamens.        -   Filaments.—Length: First group: 4 mm. Second group: 11 mm.            Fused: Yes.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Pencil-like. Length: 2 mm. Color: 31A.        -   Pollen.—Color: 31A. Amount: Plentiful.-   Pistils:    -   -   Length.—13 mm.        -   Style.—Length: 13 mm. Color: 150C.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Spherical. Color: 150C.-   Seed/Fruit production:    -   -   Description of conditions when produced.—Produced freely.        -   Color.—165A.        -   Size.—1.0 mm.        -   Number.—Approximately 2000 per plant.

1. A new and distinct variety of Lupinus hybridus plant named ‘PersianSlipper’ as is herein described and illustrated.